From the Decretal Letter of Symmachus, to Caesarius, Bishop of Arles, A.D. 513

Decree IV. We detest abductors of widows or virgins because of the savagery of so great a crime, pursuing more vehemently those who have attempted to associate virgins consecrated to God, whether willing or unwilling, to their own marriage. We prescribe that these, because of the atrocity of so nefarious a crime, be suspended from communion.

Caesarius, most zealous for ecclesiastical discipline, also labored for cultivating the most beautiful flower of virginity in the garden of the Church, and had established a convent of girls, whose confirmation and immunity from the power of the Bishop, with respect to temporal things, that is, he obtained from Hormisdas, successor of Symmachus, in the year 515. Cf. among the letters of Hormisdas in Andrea Thiel, Letter 150, and the testament of the same Caesarius in Baronius, year 508.

But since it is by no means credible that Symmachus judged otherwise in this matter than Innocent, it is evident that silence concerning the nullity of a conjugal contract of this sort, when the matter concerns imposing penance, is in no way equivalent to an affirmation that these contracts are valid. It will help to remember this also in other canons.

Decree V. Nor do we allow widows to pass over to nuptials who have remained in religious purpose by long observance. Likewise we prohibit virgins to marry who have happened to have passed many years of life in monasteries.